Leicester City 0-0 Newcastle Utd

[Guest]

All in all a very positive performance, I am well pleased.... :thumbup:

[marbelladave]

Wait until Blackpool when we go back to playing bloody 4-4-fooking2 and fook it all up.

Now everyone knows we can play like this (I never had any doubts) I shall be even more scathing when we fall short of this standard!

[Guest Bilo]

Wait until Blackpool when we go back to playing bloody 4-4-fooking2 and fook it all up.

Now everyone knows we can play like this (I never had any doubts) I shall be even more scathing when we fall short of this standard!

I desperately hope that Pearson has learned something from yesterday because if we play like that against a Blackpool side in erratic form, we'll pick up the three points and the play-off push will be well and truly back on. I honestly think Berner is key to our hopes as it seems like when he plays well, so does the team. The back four of Morrison-Hobbs-Brown-Berner is the best available by a street.

[Koke]

Wayne Brown played good because he was facing Andy Carroll. Brown thrives playing against players like that. It's right down his alley. It's the quicker players - Earnshaw for example - that he struggles with.

We could have played 900 minutes last night and Carroll would have remained in Brown's pocket indefinitely.

[Blue Bob]

Overall I thought this was a great game.

Pity Wellans got himself sent off - I am sure Pearson will let him know not to do that again!!

I thought there was only one side going to win it until Howard came on, I cannot believe how lazy he is!! The forwards were full of running chasing every ball down in the Newcastle half - no matter how pointless. But Howard was just walking around letting them play, RUN you lazt t**t - especially if you are only getting 20 minutes you can put some sodding effort in!! I really hope we get some one in the transfer window to challenge him. I would have rather seen Nguessan come on.

Glad to see Bruno back - cant we now send that useless Albino back to Man City?

If we continue to play like this I see no reason why we shouldny get back up into the play off's.

[Matt]

Last nights performance filled me with nothing but pride, the effort shown with 10 against the league leaders was excellent. Just a word for Bruno Berner, he was absolutley dead on his feet from 75 mins onwards but battled like a lion to see it through till the end. He never gave less than 110% last night and i am delighted to have him back

This.

I think it was around 35 minutes? Newcastle had a corner and he didn't clear it off the line but it was going in if it wasn't for his clearance, all i'm saying is I think we'd have been 1 down then if McGivern was playing.

[Ozwin]

Why were Newcastle singing the empty seats chant? 29 thousand is almost full and you could barely see any empty seats, plus they cheered when the attendance was read out. Is it because they get 50k and 29k seems tiny compared to that or what?

Stupid really.

[Guest]

Wait until Blackpool when we go back to playing bloody 4-4-fooking2 and fook it all up.

Now everyone knows we can play like this (I never had any doubts) I shall be even more scathing when we fall short of this standard!

We did question whether Wellens was the 'weakest link' because Oakley had his best game all season following the sending off. Many bemoan the defence or the forwards, but I think it's the midfield that has been lacking of late.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

This was a superb performance. The back four played their hearts out, and we really did deserve a draw. If we could play like this on a regular basis, we would make the play offs with no trouble. However, we do not seem to be able to find that all important consistency, that a quality side will maintain, and I fear that we will drift back into our old sloppy ways. I do so hope that I am proved wrong.

We are still in dire need of a quality striker, to team up with Matty Fryatt, who had a good game last night. I feel he would score more regulary with a decent partner.

I was also, very impressed with Solano, when he came on, and his skill shone. He is an ideal 20-30 minute player.

[Karljohn]

Why were Newcastle singing the empty seats chant? 29 thousand is almost full and you could barely see any empty seats, plus they cheered when the attendance was read out. Is it because they get 50k and 29k seems tiny compared to that or what?

Stupid really.

Agreed, they have plenty of their own empty seats every week and 12000 when they played us.

I went up there in August and all they could come up with was that "get out of our club" song aimed at the fat bloke who owns them.

I also remember going in 1990 when the Gallowgate end had about 2000 fans in it and the crowd was around 13000, it seems a lot of their self proclaimed "best fans in the land" were missing at the time. Either that or at Roker Park.

[Guest]

I also remember going in 1990 when the Gallowgate end had about 2000 fans in it and the crowd was around 13000, it seems a lot of their self proclaimed "best fans in the land" were missing at the time. Either that or at Roker Park.

Yes. I remember the days when St James' Park was smaller and emptier, and it right peeves me to read how Geordies are the best fans in the land etc. It must be a real sickener for those who stuck with the club when they really were shit.

[marbelladave]

We did question whether Wellens was the 'weakest link' because Oakley had his best game all season following the sending off. Many bemoan the defence or the forwards, but I think it's the midfield that has been lacking of late.

None of our 3 main midfield players are strong enough, or even the 'right' sort of player to dominate a midfield on their own. They have all received their (more than) fair share of criticism this season.

That is why all three of them need to play together as a unit. Oakley was playing well before the sending off and after, when Gallagher dropped back to replace Wellens, the three of them were top class.

I have been banging on about this for ages, 4-3-3 (and variants thereof) is the obvious system for the players that we have and we have to persevere with it.

In Wellens absence let Gallagher continue in the midfield role, he did well yesterday alongside the excellent Oakley and King, more of the same please.

N'Guessan on the left interchanging with Fryatt, it's so bloody obvious it fooking hurts! Come on Nigel, get with the program!

[sbfox]

Right, can someone clarify please (even though its not important in the grand scheme etc etc)

Did we play a 4-2-3-1 OR a 4-3-2-1 last night? Small difference I know, but I've seen both spoken of...?

EDIT: I DO realise it makes no difference realistically, that middle man (Oakley) is always going to drop back in defence to create a 3 with Wellens and King, but just out of interest...

[davieG]

Right, can someone clarify please (even though its not important in the grand scheme etc etc)

Did we play a 4-2-3-1 OR a 4-3-2-1 last night? Small difference I know, but I've seen both spoken of...?

First half I reckon 451 but with the two wide men especially Waghorn getting further forward when we attacked.

2nd Half 432

With both combinations it gave Oakley opportunities to get forward just behind Fryatt as did the other midfielders on occasion.

[Guest]

None of our 3 main midfield players are strong enough, or even the 'right' sort of player to dominate a midfield on their own. They have all received their (more than) fair share of criticism this season.

That is why all three of them need to play together as a unit. Oakley was playing well before the sending off and after, when Gallagher dropped back to replace Wellens, the three of them were top class.

I have been banging on about this for ages, 4-3-3 (and variants thereof) is the obvious system for the players that we have and we have to persevere with it.

In Wellens absence let Gallagher continue in the midfield role, he did well yesterday alongside the excellent Oakley and King, more of the same please.

N'Guessan on the left interchanging with Fryatt, it's so bloody obvious it fooking hurts! Come on Nigel, get with the program!

I've been a fan of three in the middle for a long time, but often get told that it's a negative formation. I don't believe this to be the case. If you have the right three in the middle, you can build around it, and vary things.

[Corky]

I thought we were excellent for 90 minutes. Kept pressing even with ten men, didn't sit back, they came on strong as you'd expect but we still looked capable of creating chances.

The work-rate, determination and application, which has been questioned recently, was spot on. Everyone played a part in a thoroughly-deserved point.

Just wish Fryatt could've finished off his brilliant run, would've capped a superb display from him in particular.

Need to take this performance on now.

[maddog]

Shame though my expectations of all our players showing passion and commitment and urgency throughout a 90 minute match has now been massively raised.

And when they look lazy, slow, complacent and CBA attitude it will piss me off even more now.

[Koke]

Right, can someone clarify please (even though its not important in the grand scheme etc etc)

Did we play a 4-2-3-1 OR a 4-3-2-1 last night? Small difference I know, but I've seen both spoken of...?

EDIT: I DO realise it makes no difference realistically, that middle man (Oakley) is always going to drop back in defence to create a 3 with Wellens and King, but just out of interest...

Before the sending off it looked like a very attack minded 4-5-1. Gallagher and Waghorn were quick to support Fryatt up front, but they also did their fair share of defensive duties. So 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, whichever you like.

After Wellens got his red, Gallagher dropped into Wellens' position and Waghorn went a bit further up in a sort of two-man attack with Fryatt like a 4-3-2.

[lovelcfc]

Why cant we watch them train?

[Sods]

Right, can someone clarify please (even though its not important in the grand scheme etc etc)

Did we play a 4-2-3-1 OR a 4-3-2-1 last night? Small difference I know, but I've seen both spoken of...?

EDIT: I DO realise it makes no difference realistically, that middle man (Oakley) is always going to drop back in defence to create a 3 with Wellens and King, but just out of interest...

I would say 4-5-1 when they had the ball when we were pressing them, Oakley, Waghorn and Gallagher had a free role to go anywhere whilst Wellens and King sitted back. Thats how I saw it and would like to see this more often, Oakley is much better in the centre.

[Guest Mee-9]

Was definately the right idea starting Waghorn and Fryatt. Pearson tactically had them Newcastle beaten. Hughton did wrong playing Carroll. The aerial presence our back four posed kept him totally out of the game.

[Chrysalis]

What can I say, my main criticism lately has been the team has generally been lazy at defending not closing the other team down. This changed in this game, I also noticed without neilson and mcgivern we were a much more solid defensive unit.

Going forward waghorn, galagher and fryatt all good first touch footballers who did some good moves. This is probably one of the strongest starting 11 we have used this season and I hope pearson starts as much the same as possible the next game.

Solano looke like he will be a useful late impact player but I would not start him in games, he be most effective against tired defenders.

[Sparky]

I've been a fan of three in the middle for a long time, but often get told that it's a negative formation. I don't believe this to be the case. If you have the right three in the middle, you can build around it, and vary things.

I think it all depends on which players play in the wide midfield positions, if you can have 2 attack minded players on the flanks who can support a lone striker quickly then i think its a dangerous formation but its vital that a short passing game is used to get the most from your 3 central midfielders.

Ive seen teams use the formation negatively several times by filling the wide positions with full backs and just containing teams

[Corky]

Really surprised Hughton didn't take Carroll off, or bring Lovenkrands on. Carroll was very average.

[CosbehFox]

Shame though my expectations of all our players showing passion and commitment and urgency throughout a 90 minute match has now been massively raised.

And when they look lazy, slow, complacent and CBA attitude it will piss me off even more now.

In which case you are worrying too much about Football. Expectation isn't worthy of the effort.